New Delhi: Like every year, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated by the end of October. Pollution begins to rise rapidly with the onset of winter, and this is precisely what is happening now. Currently, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached above 400, which falls in the “severe” category.
This means that the air is high in dust, smoke, and toxic particles, making breathing difficult. According to reports, the Anand Vihar area recorded an AQI of 427—an extremely dangerous level.
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The government and the Pollution Control Board (CPCB) take numerous steps every year to curb pollution—such as reducing the number of vehicles on the road, banning construction work, and spraying water.
However, this year, these measures appear to be ineffective. As the weather gets colder, pollutants in the air begin to settle, further exacerbating pollution.
Rains wreak havoc in South India
While people in North India are suffering from pollution, the weather in South India is completely opposite. Cyclonic conditions have developed in the Arabian Sea, causing continuous heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “red alert” for these states—meaning heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected for the next few days. A warning has also been issued for strong winds and lightning.
The Meteorological Department has stated that the rainy season will continue in the southern, western, and central parts of the country for the next five days.
Situation in the rest of the country
In Eastern India—Heavy rains and winds of 30-40 kmph are expected in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from October 23 to 27.
In Central India—Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh—we may experience thunderstorms and rain over the next five days. Dense fog is expected in Odisha.
In North India—Winter is now setting in. Temperatures may drop by 2 to 4 degrees in the next few days. This means Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh will now experience colder weather.
Overall Weather Conditions
The country’s weather is currently divided into two parts— In North India, the air is so polluted that people are having difficulty breathing. While in South India, continuous heavy rains have led to waterlogging in many areas.
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On one hand, the impact of pollution, and on the other, the havoc of rain—both situations pose challenges for people. Experts say that Delhi will only experience relief from pollution if there is strong wind or rain, while South India will have to take weather-related precautions in the coming days.